Mesh machine



Apr-1124, 1928.

O.' SODERSTROM MESH MACHINE Filed Nov. 2,' 192s 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 24, 1928.

o. soDERsTRoM MESH MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov, 2, 1925 lim Hmmm xNvENToR fca Jim ian/5 /fwATToRNEYS lil Apri124, 192s. 1,666,951

O. SODERSTROM MESH MACHINE Filed Nov. 2, 192s e sheetssneet 4 INVENTORS 05cm. jodas@ /A ATTORNEYS April 24, 1928.

O` soDERsTRoM MESH MACHINE Filed Nov, 2, 1923 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS au 172401@ EL dm, Zum w14 ATTORNEY April 24, 192.8.

O. SODERSTROM MESH MACHINE Filed Nov. 2, 1923 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS @feu BY am *am ,46m ATTORNEYJ Patented Apr.,24v, 1928.

Lessen oscnsonE'RsTrc1vIjoF Nomi-r inrrnntono, ivr'A'ssirc'ings'rifers; sereno-n To WRITING y fwmrvs coman'.`A;.CoRrpnKTIoNv.oF MSSACHUSETTS? Y y MESH ,MACHINE implicati@meaxmvinbr 2,;1923. serial 21710.-67'25`27v1- y '.This'finvention :relates t-o xmachines ifor" making lin-k meshrabric such :asis commonly used in the ymanufacture(of ladieshandfbags and other? similar farticl'es. f More specifically, the invention isA .directed i to i the provision of a niacliine yfor 'the eproduction ot. link mesh ot an .ornamental :characterj and f' containing links of different colored materials, arranged in 'the fabric accordingtopredetermineddev signs or patterns. Y. l .L lyZEa-chin'esfof ariousitypesz 'are' in useiatthe present time .:fo1''1naking link 'mesh and these machines producemesh the formof 2a.

sleeye or. in faiiat web or strip.."Thelinksuof 5 f Which :the l'iahric is composed a-rerfjusully 'made of .Wire of'a.preciousgorsemieprecious metal iandin some othese machines thewire is :led 'ironia supply .to linkforming'tools by whichxlengtlis' ofWi-re aresev-eredimnr lformed into "rings intermeshing V-With #those of. the pieceof mesh. rIliuse machines: operatestep by step WithI the linkY @forming :tools inserting a link at eaclrlperiod fof rest'.- Sometrnnessev eral setsaof. toolsrzareiprovidedrand'this iincreases fthe :rate 'df productiom'abut-each op# eration of feaclr set of the .tools :forms asingle link. Y ein other machines,V the :forming tools f are fed Withlstaple'sprevionslyfinadefrom the f Wire fand 'eont-ained'in magazines, onev for each set of tools, and a multiplicityofftools is arranged rin 'a rvbank: so'A .thatjaf'fiat-i strip i of mesh may he made one completerownofilinks ata time. .Ineither typevofr machine, aesingle kind of Wire is used and the abricproduced consequent-lly has: a. plain',v llnridecorted appearance. Y The machine of :the fpresent invention',

however, is designed'tofprodu'ce ornamentaly mesh and is lsoarrangedY, and ;constructed that links .of different kinds of material may he incorporated inthe fabric` asff'the mesh making operationprogresses.. The differentkinds of vmaterial have different" colors `and the operationv of ,the'machinefisfautomaticlly controlled :so that yariousipetterns Qni'eyhe formed in the fabric by links of contrasting colors.

The principles of fthe -inventiongma'y be utilized in connection with mesh makingmachinesof any of the yarion-sltypesgsnch as machines l,for Y making V`mesh in the ,formof a faleeveor in the form, ofa"'flatstripymachines inv which the piece of meshinoveseither vlvnnkingglinks: K y any ypredetermHI-ied1,point,and to shift. from f y Properly-l machines 'l-.Whi-'ch' 'the mesh -is 'produced either link .byilinkorrowby row. J

best :is that in which the mesh; is made-inthe form of a sleeve which is movednpwardly as :thegoperation ofalding rings to the 'piece' progresses. .This machine is .provided'l'with rva i f plnralityof supplies of .different Wires,l ory ing =t l1e.-Qper-altion of they l machine n to j make links f from these different .Wires inl any pres from 'any one Vof ythe `Wires at- -onefwine yto another after'jany vpredetermined Ami Y' *determined-L order y.of succession,k lto begin Dumber oflinks 1hasheen made. This antomaticf mechanism VAis vvender. the control... of` a master deviseeff-Sechi@ ConstructienthatY ift Qahfbesetateipfodn@ any desired' rmtterfnand Y Y a. l lected'pettern cnbeprodnced repeatedly 11.1. ,mesh-making machs Autile :sleeif typeythe Wire ris `fed?fromethesupply tpllink formingtools yWhich.- make ythe rings andvr `insert --hem'so'fas fto-.intermesh with rings at thefedgeoi'thefabric. The-operationof the tools seryes to fcutfo a vpiecefof Wire,v bend ittofthe;form1oirfa staple; advancefthe staple in ithfe vrmannfacture of. multicolor rm'esh, 'a

from* areplj'uyajlityV supplies.v The Wirevfrom erably'ismall metallic tribes areemployed, extending. frein .the .feeding mechanism to' the passages iin the; blockso as to.gi1idethe-yire eral ispgesfithrengh ,it "for/.the Wires Vfrom "e ,several sourcesl ofsnpplyjmay bemoyed niaybereqnired to; bring any yselected vone sonsfto'mesli itiwith'frings fof thezpiecey of' meshyand then close @the staple toI form thel link..y VInarranigi1-1g such a mechanism fornse i these;supplies{imiy-be `fed intothelpassages `'byanysnitalolefeedingi mechanism, and pref- This movable block withjthe sevf of; :thej several* passages opposite the proper `-relitti'on.' to the link1formingv tools for fee'cling the.. y.desired wire to these tools.

VThe ,automticgmaste `nieclu'misl'n which controlsxtl'rechange 'from one, piece of Wire l operation of the feeding mechanism for the several supplies of wire, and also the posi.-

tion of the movable block above referred to ;V

that is, at selected intervals the control mechanism functions to discontinue the operation of the feeding mechanism for one supply of wire, bring into action the'l feeding mechanism for another supply of wire, and at the same time move the block to carry the passage for the wire to be fed thereafter opposite the feeding point of the link forming tools.

This master control mechanism includes a pattern device which determines Vthe orderl of succession of the feed of the several suppliesof wire, the times'in the operation of the machine when lthe shift will be made from one supply to another, and the number of links which -will be made from each' supply beforeshift-ing to another' supply. ThisA pattern device may conveniently take the form of a rotary support and a multiplicity of radial devices mounted on the sup'- port in different positions of'adjus'tment whereby a single mechanism may be employed for making mesh having a multiplicity of different designs." These vdevices are of different dimensions vand the number of different kinds corresponds to the num.- ber of different `kinds of Wire which are to be' used. Each device is effect-ive to cause wire to 'be fed from a selected supply, and also to cause the lmovable block to assume a position in which this wire will be properly directed tothelink forming tools. The

devices are brought successively into operation atpredetermined intervals, and consequently the order ofthe devices in this sequence will determine the order of succession in which the different wires are used for links, and also the times when the shift will be made yfrom one supply to another. The actuation of the means whereby the devices carried by the support are brought into action is so correlated with thejoperation of the link forming tools `that the arrangement of the `devices on the support and the intervals at which successive `devices are rendered effective to perform their functions will determine the number of links to be made from a given supply before 'a shift is made. Since all ofthe several factors involved in production of the pattern in the mesh are variable, the master control mechanism may be adjusted to produce patterns vin practically unlimited variety, and the kind of wire of which any single link in the mesh is to be made may be determined in advance. When the design is such that the shift lvices mounted on it.

.rows of linksof. the same kind' of material and for the' production of such mesh it is sufficient that the pattern device :perform its functions only when the end of a'row has been reached.l fhile such' mesh may be made on the pattern device previously described, it` is also possible to dispense with the radial device and to make use of a rotary support which has been given a suitable configuration kso that it will -perform the saine functions as the support withthe de- Such a support-will produce but av single pattern but a number of supports designedto produce'different patterns may -bet made up and used .in the machine as desired. AVitli a pattern device ofthe form above described, the pattern is-produced. by rmeans of a series of adjustable devices, brought successively into operative position. When each unit `of the series has been brought into CIT Utl

action, the pattern is complete andthe same in the yform of achain.` This may be of vindefinite length so that the length of the pattern is unlimited andv may beendless.. if repetition is desired. V:The action of the devices, however, is the saine as that previously described.

In the accompanyingv drawings I have il-l lustrated that embodiment of the invention which is now preferred, and in lthese draw-- Fig. 1. is a vertical.longitudinal 'sectional view ofthe complete machine,

Fig. 2 is a topplan' view, f 'F ig. 3 vis ahorizontal sectional view with certain Vparts broken away, y

Figs. ll, 5, 6 and 7 are detail sectional'views ofy theV link forming devices showing the.'

sembly,

lil

upper. edge l'isa view'of the colorplate, c

`Fig. l14 is a .View 'of a 'modified Lformi di color plat-e,Y Y

Fig. 15 is Va'.sectionalview of thefpla'te shown vin Fig. 14,

".Figs. "16, '17, y"18 and '19 are 'views'in eleva-V tion'and section ofthe coloriblocks which iit in the plate shoWn'in'FigJlit,

Figs. `20 :and 21 are 4cross-'sectional and plan 'views respectivelyof"` a modified A"form of lselector dise attachment,

Figs. 2Q and 23 "are plan landsectional views respectively of selectoeblocksdesigned to he `used in `connection Withtls ,omn "of *24 is a sectional VvView ;of thewvire eed devices taken Von 4.the lline Z4-2 4 :ol` Fig. 3, n f

Fig. `E25 is an elevational 'viewwof-a detail ofthe '.Wire feed mechanism,V f f Fig. 26 is a sectional 'view taken Von the .linges-2610i Fig. 25.

Fig. 27 ,is a rear .end "viewcfthe '.Wgiie block, y

Fig. 28 is a side velevation of 'the Wire block, I 1

Fig. 29 isa front end view, f Fig. SOis-,a top'vi'ew 'ofthe -Wire loloek,Y Fig. B1 is aside view ofra niotliliedfform oifgco'lor control device, Fig. 3Q is a view 'partially linsection :showing 'the color chain 4to 'he used therewith,

'Figs. and '-34 are topjand 3bottom lplan views, respectively of the ie'olorlu'gs use-d on this cham,4 Y y Figsf and Bti-are'viewsola detail-ofthe modifi-ed liform of color Wheel -showingft'he chain infplaceon'the wheel, f Fig.`37 yis-avievv of a';piece,df'ineshivith la pattern "formed therein vr(if bands of contrasting colors, and

a view 'of "anotherjpiejce oil 'mesh showing another typ'e yof pattern "formed therein of links "of contrasting colors. `Referring non/to the drawings, jtheV Achine is seen ,toconsist of a table 439 mounted ontlegs .40 'in any convenientlocation. 'Supported `centrally oliithe `table yisja ilo'loc'k "41 oylindricalin form and anchoredin fplacelhy anentension 42'W`liich passes'lthrough r'an aperture in the "table'fandivhih is held in place by a1nut 43 threadedcon. itslower end. A ring 44'is mounted Inin V`a. clrannl'along its and the suifaceldf fhis'ring l"is provided with a spiral groove. hSecured in place on "the i'top;t ofthe tlolock isfa jsecond 1block 45, held in position 'hy :means ol'bol-ts .46. lA ring 47 is mounted torun nfree'lyina channel .in :this smaller4 block 45,1 andthe 'outer surface vof the ring 47 is provided with a series of alternate Vertical ridges anddepresvhiehjiis provided vvir'th a lseries o- 'alternate ridges land depressions yalso arranged vertically. Y'Phe i Sleeve 41219 has a flange 50- formed at itsV :upper yend, Land *this Hanger overl-ies-a ring-like; support l'mounte'd `on the'ta'li'le. andl lrests onfloall vlbearings 52 -carr`iediby the sfupport.- `i^lso,'itlie vedge fof the fflange is provided lwith a 'plurality' of ratchet .teeth fby means o-w'hich the sleeve may Jlove given Va lstep-'Wise rotation by lvdevices Ilater to `be, ldescribed. `The `Llinks Jin the fa'bic tiltv 'in'opposite directions i-n successiva-rows as will be seen in 4,"and this tiltingfis taken advantage of :in providing the support sleeve'l49is positioned:losely'enou'gh to the.

ring 'members "so that rings inE the I-nfiesh will and also fin the spi-ral grooves v`inf-the11'i51ig 44.

onsetluentlyjasfthe sleeve 49 is agivenla trotationa'rl movement the flinishedmeshis earried with it and since the collar 44 isete'tionary the rmeshV is caused to move up the Vspiral ,during this rotation. `The-sleeve of imesh therefore imoves in an upward vspira-l path, step by step, and :at -eah 'positional reet it is disposed -in ,Ipr'oper ing-tools so that new linksfmay lAs ethe ifinished-sleeve of meshfiasses vu1pvwardly"'breyond the tube l:o l"the sleeve *49 bit 'nia-ybe supported in any convenient imm- In the mali-ine illustrated there r`are-two link 'forming assemblies :loca-ted Lon opposite sides 'off 'the lbllok r`41. simultaneously and add Ifinksdying finrsuccessi've `vertical row-s. 'Aecord-ingly, when .two such assemblies are in operati on,l :a1 eom plete hrotation of the sleeve *49 representshe relation' ito the 'form fbeadded- VThese assemblies aet hzrve'a ,double^spiralgroove` Tlieseussem- Alilies are similar in construction aiidj'l'bi'it one of tliem'need be described. v

yis the main /drivesliaftf 3M one end."'t`liis shaft' is jprovitled with apulley-f 56 'and also 'with a vvlutch 4"device, indicated .generally -at "5.7, by 'means of Wliih'the lsha'fft =niay 1be driven with the vpulley vor-re'leilsl therefrom ,as inaybe desired. E1&ls'o,'-at-the other-lend the slrfft is provided avit'h a h aiid 758, i"by Avmeans Aof lwhich ftlielmachine may he operated iby hand las may be occasionally necesn sar-y to Linsert one orf=more ll-inks 4wvhioh'.the forming -A`tools may V:have failed to insert rproperly Iin the Lfabric. lshaft is lprovided wi'th :a bevlled gear59, Wh-ich =meslies With` a simiflar- 4gear `i60 .ast v,on a shaftI lfl'vwh'i'c'h' extends werticlly *through ahearingineinberlY 62 Smounted in hett'able.

ways 70 t'ormed in upright members 71 se cured to the table. As is shown more clearly 1n Figs. 2 and 11, this block enters between the sides ot' a yoke 72 formed by spaced fianges mounted on the rear end ot the outer link forming tool assembly.

This assembly is shown inFig. 10 and it willbe seen from Fig.. 11 that the assembly is disposed in a suitable slot 73 "termed in the Yupper tace of the block 69. 1With this arrangement, as the shatft 61 is driven from the main shaft, the eccentrieity oit' the pin 67 acting on the block 69 will cause the 'forming assembly to move toward and away from the central block 41 about which the mesh is formed. l

This link forming assembly, vas has been explained, is mounted in place in a eonvenient manner in the block 69 and it consists o't a cylindrical housing 74 in the forward end ot which is mounted a plunger consisting of a cylindrical body 75 in which is threaded a tubular member 76, the outer end oi' which carries a pair ot prongs 77.v Threaded in the member 74and extending through the channel therein is a die-rod 78, the outer end of which has a die 79, the tace ot which is provided with a channel shown more clearly at in Fig. 4. The member 76 is threaded intoA the body7 5 and held in place therein by a leek nut 81. Also threaded on the member 76 is a depending lug` 82 held in `place by a loek nut 88. In the channel formed in the housing 74 is a spring 84, one end `ot which bears against the inner end of the channel, the other end bearing against the tace of the body 75. Also, the assembly is held in place in the slot 78 lformed in the upper tace ot the block 69 by means ot a flange formed integrally with member 74 and a dise 8,6 threaded on the rear end of the member 74 and held in place thereon by a lock nut 87. The die-rod 78 is threaded into the rear endoit the member 74 and is held in place therein by a lock nut 88. With this arrangement it lwill be seen that the position of the rod 78 with reference to the member 74 may be igiven various adjustments and the tubular member 76 carrying the prongs 77 mayfalso begiven various positions ot adjustment by means of the mounting shown. The forward end of the member 76 enters a channel formed in the block 89 mounted on the table and a eap 90 is boltedV on the top et' the block so as to overlie the rear end of this channel.

Pivotally meuntedin a suitable channel in the block 89 is a lever 91, the forwardV end ot which carries a forming mandrel 92. At its rear end this leverrests on the upper end ot' a rod 93, the lower end oi" which carries a cam follower 64 restingon the tace cam G3. As the cam 63 is rotated with the shaft 61, thev rod 93 moves up and downat the desired insta-nt to bring ther forming mandrel into and out of operative position in liront ot' the 'forming tool.v The rear end ot the rod 91 is held against the upper end ot the rod 93 by means et a spring 94. Pivotally mounted on a rod 95 passing through the block 89 is a knife member 96 and secured to the rod 94 is alever 97, the vrear end ot which is engaged by the ,pivoted lever 98 which is rocked by a vertical rod 99 carryinga` cam follower 100 which bears against a cam 101 mounted on the main shaft 55. This rod 99`is encircled by a spring 102 which maintains the follower against the Jrace of the cam.

Referring now tor Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 17, it i will be seen that a lwire feed bleek 103 is mounted on a rod 104 against the inner-face of the block 89 and aleatspring108 at# tached to the `block 89 bears against the upper surface of the wire bloc-k. vThe rod 104 rests at its lower end on another 4rod 105 which in turn rests ony the'end et a lever 100 (see Fig. 24), loosely piif'oted ona shaft 107 adjustab'ly mounted between threaded pins 108 secured in brackets 109 from the lower face ot the table at the rear. This rod 106 is provided with a roller 110 which rests on a cam 111 mounted on a rock shaft 112 secured in brackets 118 depending from the rear edge of the table.v The cam 111 is provided with surfaces of different heights depending on the number oit different kinds oit' wire which are to be ted; 1n the present instance the machineis designed to operate with threev different kinds ot wire andthe cam will, therefore, havesurtaees ,of three different heights. By mechanism which will later be described, the shaft 112 is rocked at the proper time so as to raise the lever 106 and, through the various rods, the wire 'feeding block 103` so that t-he proper wire channel is broughtvinto operative position. As the wire of which a particular link-is to be formed is fed .through its channel into the path of the link forming tool, the end oi the wire will entera noteh in a springheld pin-114 mounted in the block 89. Upon the feeding of such a length of wire ythe parts are timed so that the outer link former moves Jforward so that the prongs `77will engage this length ot wire 115. lAt this time the mandrel 92 has moved up in trent of the wire and as the prongs strike vthe wirer the desired length is severed by the knife 96 moving to operative position. Thesevered portion is held against displacement by rea- CFI ` wlifeli rides one, CainV v tl'ie block' 411.' p

www

son. of the spring pressure By tlie s'pring-lielll rod 1314*:y The' 'link :ferme ingassenilly confinues' to move' forward' and tlle' Cooperation of"tliefprorrgs;A tfemandrel' 92 and 'the iiineiwforming rodi 7B, the Wire is yloent"intoftlie staple forml with the liend'o'f Jclieistaple' lying intli'e cli'ann'el'7 801 Tlie' knife 96' now"moves" -downwafrdl '5XVI t'o inoperative' position as does also* t-lie Yman dr'el l952i Tlie outer link-vformingA assembly', however', wit'li il; tli'e staple;` j

Meunedrcentra'lly oftlie'lilo'ck Heirs a" rod-E canryin'g inlr its' loverv endj a '10ll`e'1t'1r17fA I Y 118 .rn'ountedf on' the main slia'f. lft its upper end tllerodk116e llas-Cani surfaces 119 andmounted-f inl elia-'n'-4 nels extending diametrcally aeros's' rvlie' block 4:1 are inner' die members 129,' the rear against tile` cam' surfaees 1219.'l Alt 'the forward' 'endsftliese diel inembers have dies' Wliiclifarek clfi'ialineled" as "at 120', tliese elianii'elsf leeiiig'f` vsimiffiifto tjliechannels SOnibi-niedgiii.the diero'ds 'and lfiein designed to 3y-)operate thereWilli*v sofas' to close tlie staple anfdcoinpletethe li'nli Also, the outer ends ofthe' vdie ineinlier'srhfaye bearleaf".

shoulders 121`- against' .Wliieliz springs secure in suitable'recesses in YReferringtoFg, 4, y I V mesh,.a few links ofi which" are.. indicatedi at the sleeve o'ffmesli being'lield'finttllisposition by t'lie support' formed"liyitliesfeeveliand 'as-'lisis previously been described, Inovesfori' i WardL 'Carryingg-1A with'I 1t` the staple" formed ofthe seyeredilfength ofiwire, the' lelgsofltliis staple are inserted 4througli.l tvwo jlifn'ks at/" edgeV of die piece f oiinesli, Clie latterllavm been pizeyiously'moved; seK that tlifelsta'pleg wi be y added'rat. -tlie proper enterl link forming under the. propulsion ftlie* `rod-1'16i'tomeet: Eit and when tlie.- parts llave now reaeliedtli'e poiiifo 8 lying); closely against'-the` endl of* tlef inner toel. llfofweveiy tlie vmeiflliei 74? earryin'g iitl il the rod' 78, eo'ntiniies"to adyanee, by reason of ille movementogtlieblbek'69,'faiid this movement causes Compression*ollftjhe spring 1, 8 4; The rod 78"' eventiuailly" reaches the position 4shoivnk F '9,1mA whileliythe ends: of' the staple' Carried' in 'tile eliannelS() operation t'lieforningtoolzs. l

exerted Vupon Continues ifsk niovement"fcarryinghr Havelreached the: positionthe lug .SQ'fWillA strilieagainst a' pin Dueehis" final', elosingof" the y the prengsf serye Sto y B insure that' the" ends of thev staple will prop; erly enter the' channel 1211?'. The lnkflhas restored7 to; their normal positions; They in` ner. forming tooll 'is-"foreed back lily tlief leajf sprinvfr 122* as'the :rod 116- moves l'downward y1' Tlefblock 6'9l alscrmoveslL bfaek cari lier' 76?y isL v "ven'l a reenrnlmovement.byfmeans xhis 'rocking' In'ove'fA y Tl'ief entire assembly then moves :back tovx the ex'trenre rearwardY posi'tionfnandtlie cyelei of operations is5 repeated as anew linkis added.

`rorn. an examination 'of Ytjlie'piece of mesh" illustiatecll inJ Fig; 49,1it-*will1` lie seen that the links o successiverows-tilt in opposite di@y reetions'antl 1 vtiii's; tillfing/ordinarily takes place. naturallywlien the Iview-l'yz formedV linkr v islllyeleased-'firem che-dies; However, nfsome in ,st 'ancesit' 4`may fdesiablt'ofsupply' vmeans for" yproducing Athis* effect 'fj andl vthis may" be donebyairodfywliieh strikes the link! as' vitl is released. andllgiyes 'it t'lie' `proper tilt` ori else suitably''ilireotedI air'jblastsfmay-lie employed for" tlieL same purpose".

1Reference has previou'sly'beenfmadetotrhe stepwise l rotation of theffsl'eeve 4219V 'as lnew sllaftf "1131?, suitably supported! in| bearings in Tlief sha-ft `131 extends' upwardly' through@ 'Y lairearward. extensionV lyingfin the Channel lAvv-hi'elr is'l pro'videdlwith apinl Lupwairdlfy'ff tlirough a slot formed?v inv the The ,reverse-f movement of vthe roel; shaft-132 caus'esithe' sleeveffto Befed" forward by one ratclet, tooth. lugE '137" extending from supportfl', and

Vius

. apart a considerable distance at Ytheir rearv block 138, which is provided with a leaf spring 139 which engages in the ratchet teeth and acts as a'stop pawl to'prevent reverse movement of the sleeve.

Ithas previously been explained that the wire of which `the links is made is fed into the position Where it may be severed andl bent into the staple form through a feed block 103, carried on the rod 104. This feed block is shown more clearly in Figs. 27 to 30, inclusive, and is provided with a plurality of channels, in this'case three, through which the wire passes from the source of supply .to the forming tools. At the rear end the block has an extension 140 bolted in place. This extension provides `an anchorage for the ends of a plurality of flexible tubes 141 Vthrough which the wir-e passes from the reels to the channels. The channels 142 with which the tubespare in registry are spaced ends but converge and then run parallel at their forward ends. Also a plate 143 mounted on the face of the block, serves to hold the wire in thesechannels after it has left the tubes. Each of-the flexible tubes 141 ruins to a feeding device for feeding wi're from a source of supply. i A y These feeding devices are shown in Figs. 25 and 26. Extending upwardly from the table along the rear` edge thereof, are blocks 144, channeledl vertically. Mounted lon shafts 145 rotatablyinounted in the block 144,v are feed rolls 146 provided with a central groove if 147 of sufficient depth so that the Wire will be tightly gripped between the cooperating rolls andfed forward the requisite ,distance as the rolls arerotate'd. The shaft145 of the upper roll rests in slots in the block A144 and is pressed downwardly by means 'of springs 149 which bear against blocks resting onthe upper vsurface of the shafts 145;. Y

' This arrangement of springs, insures ,that

the rolls will gripwthe wire with a resilient grip and feed .it` forward without. injuring it. The topl of the slots in which the upper shaft 145 rests is covered bya block 150 bolted to the block 144. On the lower shaft 145 beyond the block 144 is a ratchet wheel 151 andV pivotally mounted on the*V end of this shaft is an arm 152, onwhich is pivoted av pawl 153 pressed downwardly by a. leaf spring 154. A .rod lextending through an aperture in the tableand lying in an open channel formed in the `side face of the block v 144Tcarries apin156 which lies just beneath the pawl 153. As the rod is raised it will swing the pawl on its pivot against thepressure of the spring 154 and thus keep the pawl outof 'operative engagementwith the ratchetwheel. The block 144 carries a plate 157 suitably mounted so as to lie opposite thebite of the rolls 146 and this block 157 is provided with air-aperture into which ex.- tends one of the flexible tubes 141. It will be seen that .when the lever 152 is rocked it will actuate the pawl and this movement of the pawl willcause the ratchet wheel to advance, provided the pawl is not held out of operative position by means Vof the rod 155, and pin 156. This movement of the ratchet causes a rotation of the lower shaft 145 which is communicated 'to the upper shaft by the intermeslnng gears 148.V This causes a step-wise rotation of the feed rolls and advances the wire through the flexible tube' to the feed block. The wire passes beyond the end of the feed block intoA the space in theblock 89 in front of the forming 'de-v vices where it is sever-ed, formed into a staple, and the staple inserted through av pair of links of the mesh and thenfclosed so as to complete the link forming operation.

The various parts described in connection with thefeeding of the ywire are duplicated with each source of supply, the reel on which the wire is mounted in each' case not being shown. In Fig. 2, however, it will be seen that the machine` is designed to take care of wire of three different kinds. Consequently there are three feed roll assemblies for each set of link forming tools, or in thiscase, siX inv all/Each ofv these feeding devices is a duplicate of that shown in Fig. 25, and just described. Y

The actuation of the feed ratchet pawls 154 is brought about asfollows: The levers 152 are vconnected by links 158 to arms 159 which are fast on the shaft 107.l l One of these arms 159 terminates in an arm 160 which carries aroller 161 bearing against a slightly leccentric cam 162 mounted ou the shaft 55. This cam .rotates with the main shaft and for each c cle'of operation of the link forming tools t ie shaft 107 is rocked, thus causing through the associated linkage, a movement Vvof the pawls 15.3. However, as will presently `be explained, only` one ofrvth-eserv pawls is permitted to cause lfeeding-by reason of the action of the rod 155 andthe pin 156. In other words, at each VKopenatnm of the link forming tools all ,of the feed ratchet-,pawls are actuated butonly ,oneof themproduces a feeding of the wire.

termine the Vcolor ofthe link which is 'lnserted in the mesh at any particular point.

, The principal parts of the vmaster control device, which will no w be described, are a color plate and a selector disc, andV the Vcolor plate forms the rotary support on which the control devices are adjustably positioned.

` The determination of 4which of these pawls shall operate and,

In Figs. 1,2, 3, and 11 there is :illustrated a master control assemblyy for making meshV of a simple` pattern containing stripes or periphery. Mounted at the rear of the bracket 163 is a stud 192, on whichis pivotally mounted a rocking lever 193. A springpressed pawl 194 is pivotally mounted near the upper' end of the lever, and the lever had integrally formed therewith an arm 195, ter minating in a lug 196 which normally bears against the periphery of the double cam member. Also mounted on the stud 192 is a ratchet wheel 197, to which issecured a color plate 198 by means of a pin 199, threaded in the face of the ratchet wheel and extending into an aperture through the color plate. This color plate isheld against the ratchet Wheel by means of-a spring washer, 200, held against the color plate by means of a threaded bolt 201. 4ith this'arrangeinent 0f parts, it will be seen that whenever the double cam member is clutched to the shaft its rotation will present the depression 191 to the lug 196. A spring 202, one end of which is secured to the bracket 163, the other to the arm 195, thereupon causes the arm 195 to move downwardly, thus rocking the member 193 on its pivot and causing the pawl 194 to ride over a tooth on the ratchet wheel 197 When the depression 191 passes Out from under theend of the lug 196 the member 193 will be restored to the normal position and thepawl will cause an advance of one step ofthe ratchet wheel, thus causing an advance inthe color plate.

The color plate shown in Fig. 13 is designed so as to produce a single pattern which is indefinitely repeated and if a different'pattern `isto be produced the plate will be removed from the machine andV anotherplate substituted. This arrangement differs somewhat from a form of color plate which will later be described and which permits the pattern to'be quickly changed witlrv out'perinanently yaltering the shape of the plate. The color plates, as has previously been described, is the means by which one or the other of the wire feeds is brought into action and by which it is possible to determine in advance lthenuiiiiber of links of a particular ycolor which willbe formed. This action of changing thel feed from one supply to another is brought about `by rendering operative the feed pawl forthe desired supply of wire, while the other feed pawls are kept inoperative. Since lthe color platel determines which of the wire feeds is effective it must be designed -to correspond with the number of different kinds of wire of which the mesh' is being made. ln the machine under consideration three different kinds vof wire ai'e used, and it will be noticed oiian examination of Fig. 13 that the color plate Yhas portions of its periphery formed as 'arcs of different radii. These portions 203 have three radii corresponding to the three different kinds of wire.` It will be noticed furtherthat these portions have varying lengths which, as will readily be seen, determine the extent to which a certain color is employed.

The control which is exercised over the wire feed by the color plate is brought about by means of an arm 204 pivotally mounted on a stud 205, mounted iii an aperture in they bracket 163. A cam follower 206 which bears against the side face of the doublevcam member is secured adjustably to this arm and the cam member is provided with one riser 206 which serves to rock the armr204 once per revolution of the doublel cani meniber. Mounted on one end of the arm 204 is a lug 207 which is placed in such a position that when the aim 204 is rocked this lug l Y will strike against the edge of the color plate. Connected to the other end of the arm 204 is a link 208 suitably connected to the rock shaft 112, so that as the arm 204is rocked by the doublecam membeil the rock shaft will also be rocked. Secured 'on this rock shaft is a plurality of segments 209, one

of which is clearly illustrated in Fig. 24.

One of these segments is provided for each of the pairs of wire feed rolls, `and each .segment has a notch 210 formed in its rim.

Freely mounted on theshaft 107 is a pivoted arm `211 carrying a roller 212, this 'roll bearing on the surface of the segment and being held thereagainst by means of a leaf spring 213. The end of the lever 211 bears against the lower end of a rod 155 which carries the pin 156 which may be moved to engage one of thewire feed ratchet pawls. As has been explained, there is one segment for each pair of wire feed rolls and each segment hasa notch 210 located in a ditferent position along its surface. liienany segment is moved to such a position that the roller 212 will enter the notch then the arm 211 will drop down a slight distance. The rod 155 will also move downwardly and the pin 156 will free the wire feed ratchet pawl, Accordingly, when this condition has been set up their that pawl `will become operative and upon the rocking of the shaftV of whichof these segments is brought .into Y appropriate position .depends on the shape Vof the color plate, as will now be explained.-`

lVhen the double cam member has been clutched to the shaft its rotation will cause a rocking of the arm 204v which also causes a rocking ofthe shaft 112.r The segments uio A 107 causing the inovement'of the pawl, the f are all fast on this shaft and upon'this rocking action each seginent'will be moved so that the roller 21.2 resting against it will ride up on a high point. This actiony consequently renders all of the wire feed ratchet pawls inoperative, but when the arm 204 is permitted :to rock back, the extent of this changed. kis equivalentlto teiij teeth on the ratchet wheel bywhich the color plate is advanced,

`movementwill depend onthe radiiisof the surface of the color plate against which the lug 207 bears. The height ofthese surfaces is calculatedso that when the lug lbears 'againstanyE one of them, 'onecor' the `other Vo'lVthe segmentsA will be brought yto restin appositiony inwhichthe roller 212 will enter notch. feed pawls will be brought into action while the others are keptfout of engagement with y their ratchets. Then, when' the eccentric cam 162 rotates so as to rock the shaft 107, this particular p'awl will causeV the desired kind ot wire to be `ted. It will be seen, then, that at every revolution of the-doiible'cam member all of the wire vfeed Apawls are broughtfto inoperative position,and thereafter one of them is restored to operativer position. V'In the machine which is now being described, the double cam 'member will b e clutched to the shaft but once during the ro-v tation of the selector disc 171;v A complete rotation oit the disc-corresponds to the completion of two rows of links in the sleeve,

one row Abeing completed lby each forming assembly. Since'tlie'disc rotates at this rate' and has but one member on it which brings the color plate into action, the result isv that the color is changed only whe'nfeach asseinbly has completed a full row or when two complete rows of the meshsleeverare 1inished. The length of the surfaces 203 on the color plate determine-show ina-ny times the selector shall operate before thecolor is If'the lengthot a given surface then the selector disc will make tiencomplete revolutions, each time bringing into `action the arm 207 which will beark against the appropriate surface on the color plate, but upon each ot 'such movements the arinvwill 'bear' against the same surface' and' consequently the color will not be changed. Assuming that the length of a surface corresponds toten teeth of 'the `ratchet wheel,

then ten double rows ot. the mesh sleeve will be of the same color-. The fcolor plate may, therefore, be considered to control the pattern 'vertically' of the sleeve 'ot' mesh, while Y thel selector disc determinesithe pattern across or around tern. Vith a the selectordisc acts .t9 bring the color plate Accordingly one of the wire into action once double row of links formed, but with' a feeding movement of two teeth at a time the selector disc vwillloperate :twice'asot'tem and :while yt-he'elength Y 1 otthe control surfaces on they colorY plate would correspond to'theA production ofy five double rows. This Vadjustment of the throw ofthe selector disc pawlpermits of` cutting lmay n ow represent ten double rows, .with 'the new arrangement each surfacewoiild be ibut: one` half Cas ,eii'fective, and therefore dowii the widths otfthe bands, while inakfy ing use of the sameftype of color plate.

' Illustrated in Figs. 20 and 21 is a forni of selector disc which brings the pattern device into action at more frequent intervals and `permits of variation in the length of these intervals. This selector disc 214 is,A secured to the face of the ratchet 171 by means ot a pin which passes through an apertiirei215 in the tace of thedisc. The disc 214fhas a yseries ot teeth 216, formed in itsperiphery and insertible between these teeth are'blocks 217 illustrated in Figs.'Y 22 and 2 3. These blocksl project 'beyond the teeth Vand are mounted so as to engage Lthe lug 174- and', actuate the clutch .lever inthe same manner f as the arm 172. However, these blocks may be disposed in ldifferent positionsabout the y rim of'th'e disc 214` and', as the latter is rotated the blocks arebro'ught successively 4into action against'the lug. Thereafter, the

color'rplate ismovcd inthe Vmanner previously described, anditfmay be advancedas I*frequently as may be l.required by the pattem Simply by @he Proper arrangementof the blocks on the disc. Y e

vAs has previously been explainecha selector` disc maybe provided which. is so arranged that the formation Ot individual links'in a row is controlled', and rsuch asele'ctordisc'is provided with an attachment such as is illustratedinFigs. 20 and 21..

vIn connection Awith "this selector disc there isiised a kcolor plate, `such as is shown in Figs. 14 and 15. This color-plate is formed with peripheral teeth inwhich may b'e iiiyserted" blocks such. as 'are' illustrated in Figs.

16. 17, 18 and 19.` These blocks are of vary-r ing hei glits, Vdepending on the different kinds ot'- wire to be used,1and in this instancev` there are blocks of three d ifereiit heights 4to correspond with the tliree diierent'kinds Vof wire.' These'blocks are set in'pos'itionin the peripheryof the disc and as the'latter-is advanced step by stepy at eachfperiod'ot rest onevof thciblocks vwill be positioned so as V to'be engaged by the lug A207y upon thefreturn movement of thefle-ver 204;y Thus the height of the blocks determines the position lo'frest whichvwill be assumed by the lever and thus the blocks determine the position of thesegnieifits 209'which iii turn determine which of the wire feeds shall` be operated.

'Vhen a color plateis used'provided with iio a series of peripheral blocks it follows that whenever the color plate `has completed a revolution the pattern controlled. by its peripheral blocks will be repeated: It may be desirable, however, to make use of a pattern control which permits oi' less frequent pattern Vrepetitions so tliat'the ligures produced in the mesh may be of greater length.` F or this purpose thei'e may be substituted for the color plate the disc 218 (see Figs. 8l to the surface of which has a channel 2.19 in which rims a chain 22() on which may be mounted lugs 221, serving the saine' purpose as the blocks mounted on the disc illustrated in Fig. 11i. These lugs are detachably mounted on the chain and are formed with operating surfaces of heights corresponding in number to the kinds ot' wire to be employed. The chain which is to .produce a given pattern may be endless and is made up inv advance by placing lugs on it of the de sired heights in the required positions. This chain may be made of indefinite length, and at each advance of the disc a new lug is presented to the lug 207. By making use ot such a chain and a selector disc'attachment as illustrated in Fig. 21, it is `possible to produce a pattern in which each individual link 'of the mesh is selected and since the chain may be of indefinite length the pattern formed in the fabric may be very long and composed of figures which are not repeated. However, even With a pattern of such extreme length it is also possible to produce repetitions simply by making the chain endless.

It is to be understood. ot course, that the various parts which go to make up the coinplete machine are properly timed and coordinated so that the mesh production is car- Vried on without interruption. As each link `forming assembly acids a link'thc sleeve is advanced one step and during this time a selected piece of wire will have been presented to each of the assemblies. The orming tools thereupon operate to sever a length of wire, forni the staple and insert the staple through a pair of links oi the mesh and theny close it. In the interval between successive operations of the *forming devices, the pattern mechanism has established the proper conditions so that the next link will be made of wire fed from the desired supply and the various cycles of operations continue so that a piece of mesh of indefinite length is produced having recurringl patterns formed by means ot links ot' different colors. The pattern rwhich is to be produced will depend on the form of the color plate or the assembly of the blocks on the chain, and also on the arrangement of the selector dise mechanism. These parts will be arranged in advance and may be rapidly placed in operative position in a machine.

In Fig. 37 there is shown a piece of mesh heavy lines.

in which there are formed hands, VA, B, and

C, 01"' different colors.` Each of these bands is ten rows in width, and the control sui'- faces on the color plate will. therefore, be

brings the color plate into action once per V complete double row of the finished mesh.

In l*1 ig. 38 there is illustrateda somewhat more compliiated pattern, outlined by the Various other patterns, of course, may be formed, and by making use ol a colorplate properly formed complicated designs may be 'turned out. Thesey designs may bebased on the use out more than three kinds oi wire7 but in that event the machine will be provided with additional wire supplies, and the various parts by which wire from these supplies is edto the forin- Y ingdevices.

While the present machine is designed to produce a mesh material havingV selected patterns appearing therein and formed by 'the inclusion of different colored vlinks in the fabric, and this resultis produced by a' pattern mechanism including a selector -disc and color plate, it will be understood that various changes and modilications in the parts as new illustrated may be inadegivithin f the scope of this invention. For purposes of illustration, the new invention has been shown embodied in a machine which produces mesh in the form of a sleevefwhicli is given a step by step rotation past link forming tools and which is move'dupwardly as lun the links are added. lith thistype ot' machine production of patterned mesh it is brought abo-ut by controlling the wire Vwhich isfed to the link orming'tools,.but it will be seen that the same principles may beuti- -lized in connection with a machine in which the links are formed of staples which are fed to the forming dies. In that type of machine a magazine of staples of each kind of wireinay'be provided for each of theforming dies and then these magazines may be brought/into feeding position according-to the kind oi link which the pattern would require.

Various mechanicall constructionsother than those here illustrated may be employed-'for putting` the principles of the yinvention into practice, but in any type oi machine cmploy- -ing the present invention it ispossible to cont-rol the iormation oiilinks according to a predetermined order of succession and to arrange the mechanism so that the shift .trom one kind o't link t-o another is selective both as to time and as to the kind of link inaterial. I

I claim:

1. A machine for. making link mesh, comprising the combination ot a support for a piece of mesh. link fo ming tools, power driven mechanism for giving the tools andV the piece of mesh a step by step relative movement and for operatingthe. tools in feeding this material to the linkv forming tools, pattern mechanism fori determining the supply from which material is .to be `tedr and forcontrolling the action of the feeding devices, means for actuating `the pattern mechanism, and means for controlling the operation of said actuating means.

f 2. A inachineor vmalt-ing link mesh, comprising the combination of a. support fora piece of mesh, link forming toels,lpo\ver driven mechanism for giving` the `tools and the piece of mesh a step by step relativiemovement and for Separating the toolsin each period of rest of this movement, aplurality of supplies of Wire link material,V

plurality of devices, one foreach supply, for

.feeding this material to the link; forming tools, pattern mechanism for determining the supply from which material will be fed to the tools and the number 0f links which will be made from a selectedmaterial, means for actuatingY the pattern mechanism, and means actuated in accordanceivitli the progress of thelink forming operation Vfor conn trolling the action of the actuating means;

' 3. A machine for mak-ing link .mesh com-Y1 prising the combination effasuppert f0.1.- aj

piece of link mesh, link forming tools, power` driven mechanism for operating the tools and for moving the tools and .the piece` of vmesh relatively, a plurality of suppliesfof foreachsupply, for feeding wire to the link forming wire, a plurality ofrdev-ices, one

tools, a pattern mechanism .for determining Jfrom which of these suppliesef Wireis'tO. be fed, and means for actuating the pattern mechanism, the said means being brought into action .onlyl after Ithe for-mation 'of a predetermined number of links.

4. A machine for making link` mesh comprising the combination of a support for a piece of link mesh, link forming tools,power driven mechanism foroperating the' tools and for moving the tools and the` piece of mesh relatively, Va plurality of supplies .of

Wire, aA plurality of devices, onei for each supply of Wire, for feeding wire to the link forming tools, automatic mechanism operated by thepoiver driven mechanism for-selecting saidV several supplies solliat wire will be fed to the link forming tools in a -f .whichcomprises a support forfa piece of predetermined order of successiOll and toidetermining the number of links made from each supply before shitting to another one, means for actuating the automatic mechanism, and control means for the actuating means. Y'

5. A machine for making link mesh com.- prising the combination ef a support` for a piece of link mesh, link forming tools, power driven mechanism for Operating. the Ytools `acting upon the Vcontr-ivanee vonly uPOIl the .and for movingthetoolsand the pieceo'f -mesh relatively,fa plurality ofmsupplies oi?v \vire,1a,plura1ity of devices, one for each supply or' Wire, for feeding wire to the link l forming melena-automatic contrvane 0P- e'rated by .the power driven mechanism tor eiecting a shiftin'the' said Wirei'feedin'g yde-y vices so that WirefWill be fedftothe link forming ,tools from said several supplies' in a vpredetermined order of succession, yand means for operating the contrivance, thesaid means being actuated in eorrespondencewith i the operation of the link .forming tools .but`

completion of a predetermined number of links by the tools.

6. A machine for making link mesh which comprises a support for a piece'y of mesh, means or'forming links `intermeshing with those of the pieceiof mesh, a plurality of supplies ofwvirelink material, means for selecting a supply yof link Vmaterial according te-apredetermnedpattern and ,Causing this material to be fed from the selected supply to thelink forming means, fmeans for ops erating the selecting means, and Ameansfor controlling the Operatmg means I v7. A machine formalringjli k mesh which comprises a supportifor a piece of mesh,

mea-11S for farming links intermeshine with thpse 'of the piece of mesh, a plurality of sup- A pliesV offwire'link material, meansvfor feedins material. from said supplies t0 tlielink 'Y forming means means for Controlling the .21C- tinn. oi; the` feedlng means `1n f, accordance with la predetermined pattern,A means for ac- AVtuatingthe' controlY means, and means for f contrellingv ythe;L actionk of said `,actuating l kA machineiorv making-link mesh Which Vim:

comprises asupportffor a piece of mesh,

means for forming links ii-itern'ieshing with those of the piece of mesh, al pluralityof supplies Wire, wire rfeeding means asso c iated with each ofy said supplies, pattern VVcontrplledy means operable -to renderoney of the feeding means operative` `ivhile the others are maintained inoperative, the said pattern vcontrolled means having aplurality of eifective portions,and means for L'rendering the .severi/l portions of the pattern controlled throughout theV progress ofthe mesh-making operation. f 1 .l f

9. -Al machine for-making link mesh,

mesln'means ffor'forming links intermeshing with the links of thefpiece of mesh, a plurality of supplies ofwire, means assoelatedy with each of these lsupplies for engaging the wire and feeding it therefrom .to the link farming Ineens e Pattern device 'for bringing-one 'of the vWire "feeding means im@ creation WhileV the Others., are, maintained. et restfmeans Ytor actuating, said pat- .successively effectiveY at intervals" lao tern means, and means for 'modifying` the action of said actuating means.

l0. A machine for making link mesh. fabric, which comprises a support for a piece of mesh, means for `forminglink inter-'meshing With the links vof the piece of mesh, a plurality of supplies ofV Wire, means associated with each supply for feeding ywire therefrom to the 'link formingv means, 'a color plate movablevto dilierent positions and in eacli-position operable to select and render effective one of said ivire feeding` means while maintaining` the others inoperative, and means for moving the color plate only after the completion of a predetermined number of links.

1l. Av machine for making 'link mesh which comprises means for supporting a piece of mesh, means for forming' links intern'iesliing` with those the. piece of mesh, a plurality ofsupplies of wire, means associated With each of said supplies and operable one at a time for feedingI Wire therefrom to the link forming means, a movable device for selecting and bringing the Wire'feeding means into action in a predetermined order of succession, and means operable only after the formation of a predetermined number of links for moving the said device.

l2. A machine lfor making link mesh which comprises means for supporting` a piece of mesh, means for forming links in termeshing with those of the piece of mesh, a plurality of supplies of Wire, means for feeding;l Wire from each' supply to the link forming means, a plate movable toA different position-s and in each such position operable to select and render effective one of the Wire feeding' means, and means operable only after the completion of a predetermined number of links' formoving'y the plate.

13. A machine for making link mesh' which comprises means for supportinga 'piece of mesh, means for forming,` links intermeshing With those of the piece of mesh, a plurality of supplies of Wire, means for feeding Wire from each of said supplies to the link forming means, a rotary plate,

means for advancing the plate only after the` completion of a predetermined number of links, and means operable under `the control of the plate for actuating `one of the Wire feeding means.

141-. A machine for making link mesh, which comprises means for supporting a piece of mesh, means for forming` links inteifmeshing` with those of the piece of mesh, a plurality of supplies of Wire, means for feeding'wire from each of said supplies to the link forming means, a plate having portions thereof formedin accordance with a predetermined pattern and operable to select the supplies in a predetermined order of succession, means controlled by the said portions of the plate for actuating the feeding means associated with Ia selectedisupply,

of supplies of wire, feeding means associated with each of said supplies, av patternmechanism for controlling the action of said feed-V ing means, ythis mechanism acting upon the feeding,I means to change the action of the latter to cause thewireto be fed in a predetermined order of succession, and means for bringing the pattern `mechanism into ac tion upon the completion of'a predetermined group of links. *i

16. A machine for making; linkmesh which comprises a support for aV piece. of mesh, means for/forming' links intermeshing` with those of the piece of mesh, a plurality of supplies of Wire', feeding means associated with each of the said supplies, andaV pattern mechanism forv changing the feed from one supply to another, this mechanism including va plate having portions thereof are ranged infaccordance with a predetermined pattern, and means for bringing these portions into effective controllmgfposition'upon the 'completion'of a predetermined `group ofy links.

17.1A machine kfor making- 'link vmesh which rcomprise-s a support `,for a piece 'of' mesh, means for forming` links"intermeshiiig with those' of the piece of mesh, a plurality of supplies of Wire, each supply having ivire feedingl means,` associatedv therewith, and means for' controllingthe actiony -of said feeding means, comprising' a member -actu ated upon the formation of a predetermined group of links, and another member made effective to change the feed upon the completion of a predetermined'number of said groups; A Y

18. A machine "for making; link mesh, which comprises a support for` a piece of mesh, means for forming links int-ermeshin,,r with those of the piece of mesh, a plurality of supplies of ivire, each ofI said supplies having,i Wire feeding means associated therewith, means 'for rendering saidV feeding means operative or inoperative and a pattern mechanism for controlling` the action of said lastdnamed means, this pattern mechanism including' a selector disc actuated in accord'- ance with the operation of the lilik forming tools but operative only upon the comple- -tion 'of a pi'edeteriiiined number of links and a color plate for determining the order of succession in which the Wire is fed and brought into actiony by the selector disc. Y p 'f 19. A. machine for .making link mesh,

iio

vwhich com-prises` a support for apiece yof mesh, means for Vforming-links intermeshing with .those o f the piece of mesh, ya plurality of suppliesl of Wire, i havingwire feeding means `associated 4therewith, means for rendering' saidk feeding means voperative or inoperative, land a pat` tern mechanism for controlling' the action ofthe Wire feeding means, vthis pattern mechanism including a selector disc movable step-Wise, one step as each linkis formed and a colorpplate brought into action to change the feed `upon completion of ,a predetermined numberof said steps. Y y

20. A machine for makingl link mesh which'comprises a support `for` a piece of mesh', ing lwith .those -of the piece of mesh, a plu.- r-al-ity .of supplies of V w ire,-means associated 'ivith each lof said supplies for feeding` Wire therefrom to the linkformi-ng' means `and ,a pattern mechanism for rendering one of said W-ire feeding A-means operative While maintaining the others inoperative, this 'pattern mechanism including a color plate having a lurality-'of effective portions, a'fmember con-v trolled by the color plate in .turncontrolling `l Vthe actionof Ythe feeding,` means, v*and a selector disc movable step-Wise and operable to bring successive yportionsof the color brought -into action -by the loperation of said selector disc and effective vto determine vthe order of succession in which the Wireivill be fed to theliiik forming` means and means controlled'by said colorpl'ate for rendering one of said-wire feeding emeans Loperative While 'maintaining 4the others i in Vinoperativel position.

22. A ymachine for makingl link mesh which comprises a support fora piece .of mesh,means for forminglinks intermeshing With the links of the f piece` of -mesh1 aV pluralitv of -'supplies Vofkv Wire, 4means associated With-each vof said-supplies for feeding Wire therefrom to the link formingr means, a patternmechanism for controlling` the actionofv said Wire feedingmeans, including a selector disc rendered operable rupon -the `'completion of a predetermined fnumbei plate-movable by sa-id selector discand effective lto f determine the gorder of succession in each of said supplies,

means for forming links intermeSh-n foflin'ks, a color n avliicli the ,Wire vvllhefed to the link ,forining means' land meanscontrolled by ythe color plate 1aii'd' in ,turn controlling the action of said xvii-efeedingmeans. f v

A" machine for making link mesh,

which comprises a support for apiece of mesh, `means yfor forming links inte'.IjII'nishingV ity offsupplies of Wire, means associated with each of: said supplies for' feeding wire therefronrto the link forming .,inean's, a pattern `mechanism ,for `conti-ollii'ig @the actionof said vWire feeding means and. including aselector di sc rendered Aeffective upon 'the .completion Offa ,predetermined number of links, al'coloi" plate having tcolor control-areas' disposed thereon,- and means brought into laction by ,selector .discff and acting to 'render one of saidy wire feeding means operative vlvv'hile they others aremantained inoperative under v the ,control of one V.of

theplate. Ql.: A machine forfmakingfflink mesh, cornthey controhareas ,on

'prsing Athe combination Lof .a support for a piece link iiiesh,linkpformillig tools, pOWer flriven mechamsm for1 .operating the :tools 4and foimoiiiig the tools andfthe ,piece of wire, a ,plurality .of Wire `feedingfdevices,v ,one rfoi-Teach supply voflivire, and'an .automat-io control .mechanismgfor controlling fthe operationofsaid `vaire, eedingmeans comprising a mouable'fmember ,connected to vthe lpower driven ,mechanism l to 'be operated thereby Ain link forming ,tools an' element ,mountedon andmova ble `with said member, a second movable'memberactuatedby the power sha-ft under Vthecontrol ofsaid element landan ,element .coacting with ysaid second movable member ,and ,determining .by itsv position correspondence with thenperation'yo'f ,the ,100

which of theysaid wire" feedngdevicesshall operate `and Which'shall reir'ianinactive.`

Q5. ,A `rmachine vfor ,making link mesh which. comprises `the ,combination of i ay sup: port for a .piece` of, mesh, :means for forming links .intermeshing .Withithev links of the ,piece of mesh, a Qplurality.of suppliesioffwire, means associated with veach `of said supplies for feed i ng iv ire therefrom to the ,llink formingmieansg and a .pattern mechanism for cron-` trolling the action Aof said wire( 'feeding means including a selector ldis,clhiwir'igfpor-v tions thereofvbrought into operative position uponfthe completion of a predetermined number .of links, a. color .plate yhaving ycolor control ,areas disposed thereon vin accordance witlrapredetermined pattermand a member thelcontrolio't the areas on said'vplate for renderingjonev-of -said Wire ,feeding kmeans' operative kWliiletheothers are maintained inoperative. L l y s 26. 4A machine l,for ,makingg link mesh vbrought :into Iact-ion bythe portionsovf-the selector V.disc .lireferredtoand operable under A which comprises a support for a piece of mesh, means for forming links intermeshing -eaclrof said supplies for feeding wire therefrom tov the `link forming means and a pattern mechanism forrendering vone of said vWire feeding means operative While maintaining-the others inoperative, this pat-tern mechanism including a color plate foi" selecting and rendering operative the selected Wire feed, tliiscolor plate having control areas arranged in series thereon, a selector disc movablestep-wise during the progress of the link-forming operation, and means operated by said disc upon the completion of a predetermined number ofV steps for bringing successive areas ofthe color plate into effective position.

27. A machine for making Vlink mesh which 'comprises means for supporting a piece of' mesh,ineans for forming links intermesh'ing with those .of t-he piece of mesh, a plurality of .supplies of Wire, means for feeding Wire from each of said supplies to the linkforming means and a. pattern mechanismfor selecting and rendering operative one of said wire feeding means', this pattern mechanism including a selector disc rendered effective upon the completionof a group of links and 'a color plate brought into action bythe selector discupon the completion of a predetermined number of such groups and thereupon effective to change'the feed from one source of supply to another. i

28. A machine for making link `mesh which, comprises `means for supportingA a piece of mesh, means for forming links in terineshing vvith those of the pieceof mesh, aplurality of suppliesof Wire, means for feeding-Y xvirefrom each of said supplies to the link forming means .and a pattern mechanism forvselectiiig and rendering operative one of said Wire feeding means,`this pattern nfiechanisniincluding control means rendered effective only after the completion of a predetermined numher Iof links and means cooperating ivith the control'ineans to determine the `source of; supply from Which Wire shallvloe fed' and operating to change from one supjiily.l toA another when the control meansI ,has'become effective a predeteru'iined nui'nher'of times. i

Q9.' A y'machine for making link mesh 'xvhich comprises means for supporting a piece. of 'mesh,imcans for forming links intern'ieshi'ngivith those of the` piece of mesh, a plurality olf-"supplies vof ivire. means for feeding fivire from each of said supplies to the link -formir'ig means and a pattern mechanism for selecting; and rendering operative one (of said Wire feeding mcans,`this pattern mechanism including ai selector-disc movable kuponV the formation of each link and having a member thereon rendered effective after a predetermined movement corresponding' to the completion of a group ofl links and means forcontrolling the action of the -Wire feeding means and including a series of control areas brought successively into action by said member. 'Y

30. A machine 'for makingu link mesh which comprises means for supporting a piecev of mesh, means for forming'links intermeshing With those of the piece of mesh, a plurality of supplies of Wire, means for feeding Wire from each of said supplies to the link forming means and va pattern mechanism for selecting and rendering-operative one of said Wire feeding means, this pattern' mechanism including a selector disc movable as each link is formed, and having a member thereon brought into action upon the completion of a predetermined Amovement 4of said,

disc, pattern means forvdetermining the order of succession in 'which' the Wire is fed to the link-forming means, the said pattern means being provided with a plurality 4of control areas and'being given' success-ive movements by the membersjto bringk the areas successively into action, and means controlled by said patterii'means for rendering a singlewvirc feedingmeans effective.

' 31. A machine for making link mesh which comprises means for supporting a piece of mesh, means for forming'llinksf interineshing With'those ofthe piece of mesh, a plurality of suppliesof Wire, means for feeding Wire from `each of said supplies 'to the link forming means and apatternY mechanism for controlling the action of said vvire feeding means and including aselector'disc movable stepvviseas each link is formed,

means for rendering one of said Wire feed-A ing means operative While maintaining the others inoperative and means controlling the order of succession in Which the Wiie'is fed to the link-forming means, the said means including a plurality of control lareas brought successively into 'action upon apre-` determined moveinent of the selector disc.

A machine for making link mesh, which comprises ar support for a piece of imesh, means for forming links i'ntern'ieshing with the links of the piece of mesh, a plurality of supplies of Wire,a ratchet associated with VVeach of said supplies of Wire for feeding `Wire therefrom, a continuously ioperated panal associated with feach ratchet, means acting upon each pawl for moving the latter into and out of operative position, and means for controlling the action yof said last named means according tov a predetermined pattern. l

A machine for making' link mesh, which comprises a support for a piece ofA mesh, means for forming links intermeshing with the links of the piece of mesh', a plurality ofV supplies of Wire,` agratchet associated with each of said supplies of Wire for IIN) 

